We miss all of our family and friends in Jackson, Miss., but Portland's home now.

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Union Pacific Railroad comes to Portland's Union Station

As part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Union Pacific Railroad, a special train came to Portland's Union Pacific. All three of the Union Pacific owned Streamliner EMD E-9s--2,400-horsepower (1,790 kW), A1A-A1A passenger train-hauling diesel locomotives--stood at the front of that train. First in line, the 951, next the 963B--a cabless unit doing duty as a head end power car, and finally the 949.

My photos: Union Station against Portland's blue sky; a close up of the 951's brake pads (brownish) and leaf springs (resemble silver-colored thick slices of cheese); looking at the length of the train cars and the locomotives from both directions; there I stand in my sun hat with my hand on the 951; the lady's 1956 and the man's 2012 (period costumed performers, right down to her hose with seams); and the sign which welcomes travelers to Union Station.

From UPRR dot Com:

Union Pacific Railroad Celebrates 150th Anniversary in Portland

Portland, Ore., July 13, 2012 – Union Pacific Railroad began its final 150TH anniversary celebration as part of the Pacific Northwest segment of the UP 150 Express tour today at historic Union Station in Portland. The two-day celebration in Portland is the last of a series of events in Oregon, Washington and Idaho commemorating 150 years since President Abraham Lincoln created Union Pacific by signing the Pacific Railway Act. Three immaculate Streamliner locomotives brought the UP 150 Express to Portland pulling a recently unveiled baggage car that has been converted into a rolling museum that tells Union Pacific's 150-year history using art, graphics and the latest in touch-screen technology.

Streamliner Locomotives 951, 949 and 963B are the last of Union Pacific's high-speed diesel-electric locomotives built for service on the memorable streamliner and domeliner passenger trains. Also known as E-9s, the Streamliner locomotives pulled famous trains that included the City of Los Angeles, City of Portland, City of San Francisco, City of St. Louis and the Challenger.

"Union Pacific's 150TH anniversary gives us a special chance to celebrate our historic past with the communities that are most important to our future," said Scott Moore, vice president, public affairs – west, Union Pacific. "We are proud to celebrate 150 years of building America with the city of Portland."

As part of the festivities today, Union Pacific officials made Portland an official part of the railroad's Train Town USA Registry. Portland Mayor Sam Adams accepted a commemorative Train Town USA sign that will forever designate Portland as a city that has a historic connection to the railroad.

The Train Town presentation kicked-off Union Pacific's 150th anniversary community celebration as Portland residents were treated to an up close view of the classic E-9's, as well as a tour of Union Pacific's just launched Promontory baggage car that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art traveling museum. The traveling exhibit in the baggage car closely replicates the full-scale Building America exhibit that opened May 12 at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Period performers walked the halls of Union Station as Portland residents of all ages took a turn operating locomotive simulators and viewed Union Pacific's Heritage Fleet of passenger cars up close with Union Pacific offering the city of Portland a complete railroad-themed experience. The UP 150 Express will be on display on the tracks immediately behind Portland's Union Station July 13-14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

About Union Pacific

It was 150 years ago that Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act of July 1, 1862, creating the original Union Pacific. One of America's iconic companies, today, Union Pacific Railroad is the principal operating company of Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP), linking 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country by rail and providing freight solutions and logistics expertise to the global supply chain. From 2000 through 2011, Union Pacific spent more than $31 billion on its network and operations, making needed investments in America's infrastructure and enhancing its ability to provide safe, reliable, fuel-efficient and environmentally responsible freight transportation. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad serves many of the fastest-growing U.S. population centers and emphasizes excellent customer service. Union Pacific operates competitive routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways, connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major Mexico gateways.

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I'm curious. I like to share what I see, find, learn, figure out, wonder about, and want to know more about. I find this blogging business to be a perfect fit for me along those lines.
My sons moved to Portland from Jackson, Mississippi, first. In summer 2006 my Mama and I followed them. No doubt we made a great decision!